Chapter 238: Looking Good, Teacher Lu!
As night fell, Green returned to Professor Oak's lab, slinging his backpack over one shoulder after a day of training with Red on Mt. Silver.
"Oh, you're back~" Professor Oak, still in his lab coat, slurped a mouthful of instant noodles.
"Could you not use a Bunsen burner to cook your ramen every time?" Green sighed.
"Your assistant can cook, can't she?"
"She was busy, so I let her leave early," Oak chuckled, before growing serious. "Green, I met the Trainer you recommended."
"So? What do you think?" Green raised an eyebrow.
"A Trainer with seasoned judgment and precise command," Oak said, twirling his chopsticks. "Incredible tactical depth and reaction speed… possibly the best I've seen. And most importantly… the bond he shares with his Pokémon." Sylveon was a species known for only staying with Trainers they truly trusted. And that Gengar… its spirit burned as fiercely as the flame on a Charizard's tail. Oak smiled. "You really have made a great friend in him."
"…Your ramen's getting cold."
"Ah, crap!" Oak quickly went back to eating.
Green fell into thought. "So… he passed your test?" He had never underestimated Lu Ye's strength. Red respected him. He had battled Lance on equal footing. Green had always considered Lu Ye to be at least on his level—no, perhaps even stronger. After all, Lu Ye had yet to reveal his full hand.
"Yes," Oak nodded. "I gave him the special Pokédex."
Although not surprising, Green was still curious. "What was the test?"
"I battled him in a doubles match." Oak grinned. "And haha—I lost!"
Green was taken aback. Sure, his grandfather was getting older, but in his prime, he had been Kanto's Champion. If he had used Dragonite or Kangaskhan, even Green wouldn't have had a guaranteed win.
"Phew… I gave it everything I had," Oak sighed. Even after resisting Yawn, "In the end, I still lost."
Gave it everything… and still lost? "I see…" Green fell silent, his evaluation of Lu Ye rising once again. "And most importantly… what's his ability?" Not just him—even Red couldn't fully gauge Lu Ye's true strength.
"Tactics," Oak answered bluntly.
Green froze. So all those other talents… were just hobbies?!
"In our battle," Oak said, rubbing his temples, "he anticipated my commands, used Gengar to create false openings… and in the moment of crisis, remained perfectly calm, using Ally Switch to set up checkmate. Perhaps… 'The Tactician' is the most fitting title for him."
"Tactics, huh." Green nodded in contemplation. Thinking back to all the strategies Lu Ye had demonstrated, this title did seem most appropriate. Compared to other skills, Tactics was a direct game-changer. Even if he didn't want to admit it… Green felt a rare sense of envy. After all—this was an evaluation on par with Red himself!
"Well, it is Teacher Lu, after all…" Green muttered, turning away. His mind was made up. He was calling Gold over. They were going to keep grinding at Mt. Silver!
"Ah, one more thing!" Oak called out. "You're still in touch with Ash, right?"
"Yeah," Green replied. "He's training for the Lily of the Valley Conference. He'll probably be back in Pallet Town soon."
"Good. When he returns, ask him something for me," Oak's expression grew serious. "See if he's interested in taking the special Pokédex test."
"Hah, so you do have your eyes on him," Green smirked.
"Well, he does remind me of you and Red."
"I'll ask," Green waved as he walked off.
Meanwhile, Lu Ye was on the train back to Saffron City. "Kokekeke!" Gengar stared curiously at the Pokédex in his hands. "Let me study it first," Lu Ye stroked his chin.
[Special Edition Pokédex: Personally crafted by Professor Oak, an extremely rare Pokédex with more comprehensive features. (Though calling it 'comprehensive' might be a stretch.)]
Lu Ye: ??? Hasn't shown signs of life for days, and now it's getting all tsundere again?
That said, the symbolic value of the Pokédex far outweighed its practical use. Pokédex Holders could enjoy store discounts and free lodging at Pokémon Centers. A special edition had to mean extra discounts, right? This was about savings! As for the ideals and beliefs it represented… he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of responsibility. After all, he was now officially a peer to the legends in the group chat.
"I should have a title too, right…" Lu Ye muttered. "I left in such a hurry, I forgot to ask." Every Pokédex Holder had a title. When Red revealed his "Battler" title, it was unbelievably cool. "…Please, just don't give me something ridiculous like The Shameless One or The Cursed One!"
The group chat was already in chaos.
Gold: TEACHER LU GOT A POKÉDEX?!
Crystal: Your voice is way too loud…
Gold: Uuuu, I begged that old man for ages, and he never gave me one…
Lance: I've heard of the special edition tradition. What was the test?
Green: A doubles battle. Teacher Lu won.
The chat went dead silent. Until Yellow posted a Wartortle meme: [I don't dare say anything.jpg]
Erika: Professor Oak was once Kanto's Champion…
Lorelei: Yes, and he even set records by defeating Grandma Agatha.
Lance: Hmm… actually, that makes sense.
Blue: What about the evaluation?!
She was the most excited one. Discussions like these were perfect for gossip.
Lu Ye stroked his chin. …It won't be something weird again, right?
Green: Tactician.
Crystal, who had witnessed the test, sighed in admiration. Crystal: Teacher Lu… truly took tactics to the limit.
Lu Ye blinked. After a long silence, Steven finally typed with a smile.
Steven: That's a really cool title.
Yellow: ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ Teacher Lu is awesome~~
Lt. Surge: @Teacher Lu, now this is the real deal!
Sabrina tossed her long black hair, remaining silent. Even she had to admit… for Professor Oak to give this kind of evaluation to Lu Ye, she felt a sliver of respect.
Gold: That's cool and all, but let's be real—it should be "The Dirty Player" instead!
Having suffered through countless of Lu Ye's tactics, Gold couldn't help but complain.
Lu Ye: I'll take that as a compliment!
Gold: ???
After seeing everyone's reactions, Lu Ye coughed lightly. Alright… at least this was a respectable title. Though… why did it feel like his weird titles were stacking up again?! He sighed. "…I can't even keep track anymore."
The Tactician title was probably awarded because of that final Ally Switch move. Even Professor Oak got played by that one. How could Ally Switch be such a cool move?! Lu Ye patted his own shoulder and grinned. "No doubt about it—Teacher Lu, you're looking real good right now!"
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